Vital Mtb - Speaking Of Mountain Biking

Welcome mountain bikers! Thanks for tuning into The Inside Line podcast. Today we wrap up a candid interview with influential photographer, Ian Hylands. In part one we discussed his history and his impact on our sport, and today we get into his battle with Lyme disease and how that impacted his life. We dig into how he transitioned from a film photographer primarily shooting for print magazines to digital and internet-based work, his time as staff photographer at Niner Bikes, how he ended up at Deity components and a brief nod to the epic human we know as John Kerr, the photographer at Mountain Bike Action. We conclude with some photo tech with Ph.D-level insight into flash photography. It’s been an honor to have Ian on the show and I know you’ll enjoy the episode.At jensonusa.com, a long-time supporter of The Inside Line, you can get 20% off a single qualifying item when you use code SAVE20 at check out. Riding season is right around the corner, so get dialed at Jenson USA!Speaking of riding season, make sur

Welcome Mountain Bikers, this is The Inside Listener Response podcast. Maxxis Tires, Jenson USA and the Paydirt Fund help make The Inside Line possible.Last week at the beginning of the Ian Hylands interview, I threw out a question about social media and mountain biking and wanted to know what you think about it. In hindsight, it’s not much of a surprise that the responses were pretty thin. Two of you sent audio commentary and there was a write-in response which I’ll read. This listener response concept is new for me and is a learning process. it makes sense that, if you’re not in the business of media or content creation or being a paid athlete, that talking about social media might not be that interesting, but we’ll carry on. Thanks to Brian, Dylan and Jarrod for their responses this week.In addition to those, this week we have some of the best freeriders share their thoughts on this topic and more, too.Every winter, freeriders from the great white north make their way down to Reno, Nevada to visit Cam Zink

Welcome mountain bikers. Thanks for tuning in to The Inside Line and thanks for your patience this week. We had some technical difficulties with the recording of Ian Hylands that you’ll hear today, but I’m stoked to report the interview was recovered after some painstakingly repetitive work, and the stories and history await through this special talk with one of our sport’s most influential and inspiring photographers.Ian and I talked for almost 3 hours and I’ve broken it up into 2 parts. Today we’ll learn about his journey into mountain biking and photography, his incredible depth in the mountain bike scene with one of the first north shore photos to ever run in BIKE mag in the early 90s…his journeys as Darren Berrecloth launched his career in the mountain bike world, road trips with Voreis, Lenosky and chase and so much more and so much impact on what mountain biking is today, whether directly or indirectly through his imagery. we don’t even touch on half of what he’s done for our sport, but it’s an honor t

Welcome mountain bikers. A question was asked at the beginning of last week’s The Inside Line episode with Shimano’s Joe Lawwill. I wanted to try something new this year, to engage more with you, the listener, and I’m blown away by your responses. So much so, that I’m taking your feedback to create supplemental episodes with your opinions on the topic brought up.So, I began wondering why so many new mountain bike trails seem to be flow trails instead of natural trails. I wondered how this may impact the future of our sport. Are we making MTB too easy in general or do the benefits of getting new riders out on the bike safely outweigh any potential boredom long-time riders might experience on a flow trail. You all showed up with some great, diverse responses. There were even a few brave souls who recorded their thoughts and a bunch wrote in to weigh in on the topic, which is awesome. In this episode, I read the write-in responses and play the audio replies.If you have any questions or comments about the show, e

Shimano MTB Marketing Specialist, Joe Lawwill was one of the first people to ride a full-suspension mountain bike. His father, the legendary motorcycle racer, Mert Lawwill, made the bike some 30 years ago. From a budding motocross career that organically grew into a life in the cycling industry, Joe has been immersed in our sport for decades after being turned on to the speed of mountain biking while riding the infamous Repack trail with a young Myles Rockwell. Joe's pedigree of helping develop and test some of the most influential bikes of our sport's history has led him to a position at Shimano where he manages mountain bike racers and athletes in an effort to develop world-class product. Kyle Warner conducts this enlightening interview, filled with great stories about the past, as well as diving into where Joe sees mountain biking's future headed.Thank you - Maxxis TiresA big thanks goes out to Maxxis Tires as they continue to support The Inside Line. The Vital test crew just finished a shor

This week on The Inside Line, Kyle Warner hosts the show with two-wheeling destroyer, Barry Nobles. Stories of Barry growing up in Alabama and getting into bikes, finding BMX racing and turning that racing into a career are covered. Eventually, Barry adds mountain biking to his competitive focus, all while trying to make the Olympics for BMX. From Crankworx podiums to double backflips and gnarly crashes in the X-Games, Barry has found his path, learning from successes and failures throughout the years. He trusts his instincts and isn't slowing down one bit, still pushing competition in both BMX and MTB. Vital gives big thanks to Kyle for a great interview, it's an awesome show! Enjoy.The Inside Line is an exclusive mountain bike podcast produced by Vital MTB with support from Maxxis Tires, Jenson USA and The Gravity Cartel.

We're honored to have this interview with legendary BMX racer and cycling fanatic, Mike "Hollywood" Miranda. Kyle Warner sat down with Mike in Bentonville, Arkansas, a few months ago for a fun, a candid discussion detailing some of Mike's comedic and character-building childhood moments, his involvement with the cult classic movie, RAD, as well as getting more kids stoked on bikes as he works with Hyper Bikes, which are sold through Walmart. Thank you Kyle for the interview, and thank you Mike for a lifetime of inspiration!

Santa Cruz Bicycles commits to giving away $1 million to projects that increase access to trailsThis is our commitment to increasing access to quality trails. We’re pledging to give $1 million over the next three years to trail development projects, local and national advocacy organizations, events, and programs geared toward creating and strengthening access to trails.Santa Cruz wants to support activities that benefit riders and their local communities. And, we want to inspire others to do the same.Click photo to change size and captionPayDirt is about supporting grassroots organizations to do the silent work of advocacy to build or maintain the trails we all enjoy. Any group who has an idea or running project that increases access or improves the experience of mountain biking can apply to the PayDirt fund. Starting today.Apply today - www.santacruzbicycles.com/paydirtStarting November 19th we’re opening up the application process for local organizations and projects to apply for funding.Any project that in

As a kid, Carlos Matutes found freedom on a bicycle thanks to a local BMX track in his Texas town. Since then, he has continued to immerse himself in all forms of cycling, from BMX, to mountain biking, to road racing and endurance events. At one point, he even rode a rigid, fixed-gear mountain bike on the trails.Experience as a mechanic and working for a cycling parts distribution business has helped Carlos see all sides of our sport. He eventually found himself in Boise, Idaho, seeking life in the mountain west. His passion for bikes and making a difference in his community led him to the position of Executive Director of SWIMBA, Southwestern Idaho Mountain Bike Association. Carlos discusses what it means to be involved in your local trail advocacy group. It's not just about dig days or new trails, it's about a focused community and enrollment numbers that show local, regional and national governments that the mountain biking community is a force. He wants mountain biking to be accessible to people

We’re going to try something a little different this week and discuss the recent Red Bull Rampage event from three different perspectives. Rampage is the pinnacle of freeride mountain biking. Its imagery is iconic, the moves and consequences are only accomplished under its event conditions and never-been-done bike riding takes place every time it happens. Kyle Jameson was one of the event judges, Sean "Griz" McClendon made the 12-hour drive to Virgin, Utah, to be a spectator at the venue, and I was an online viewer of the event. Since Rampage is a judged, subjective event, opinions about lines, tricks and scores are all over the internet, so bringing the three different Rampage experiences together made for some interesting conversation.Thanks for listening and enjoying The Inside Line.The Inside Line is an exclusive mountain bike podcast produced by Vital MTB with support from Maxxis Tires, Jenson USA and The Gravity Cartel.

It's with sad hearts that we mourn the loss of Jordie Lunn. Jordie lost his life during a mountain biking accident a few days ago, stunning friends, family and the MTB community. The Inside Line focuses on his giving heart and his adventurous nature through stories told by fellow riders and friends. Rest in peace, Jordie. We miss you. #longlivejordie

Days before the 2019 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships, current DH champ, Loic Bruni spends some time with Enduro World Series racer, Martin Maes. Though Martin focuses on enduro racing, he is in Mont-Sainte-Anne to compete in the downhill event at Worlds. Last year, the young Belgian mountain bike racer won the La Bresse World Cup downhill even though he was competing in a full EWS season. Loic and Martin discuss World Championships, returning to racing at the Northstar EWS after a suspension due to the recent doping incident Martin went through, and what it means to be a world-class MTB competitor.You can also watch the interview on our YouTube channelThanks to Fox MTB for supporting the Outspoken series.

After a few days shooting photos and getting to know his family in Buena Vista, Colorado, Brandon Turman had the chance to sit down with none other than Mick Hannah, also known as "Sik Mik." With a mountain bike career that spans nearly two decades and well over two hundred results, you've no doubt seen this man lighting up the races. While some of today's younger riders may know Mick as the guy that throws a perfect suicide every race, there's a whole heap of history to talk about. We cover everything from his formative years in Australia, growing up racing BMX, and his first DH races to how mountain biking has evolved, what the future holds, burnout, racing with a sibling, and integrating his family and the sport he loves so much. Mick is a truly genuine individual with a strong work ethic and dedication that keeps him firing on all cylinders. 

Your three-time consecutive (4-time total) UCI Mountain Bike Downhill World Champion and 2019 World Cup Downhill series winner, Loic Bruni, sits down with his race team manager, Laurent Delorme and the manager of Canyon Factory Racing, Gabe Fox. Laurent and Gabe have been involved with winning World Cup downhill teams for years and they share their insight about what it takes to earn the rainbow stripes and race wins. Gabe Fox has been instrumental in scouting talent like the late, great, Stevie Smith and continues to build race-winning programs. At Vital, we are honored that Loic committed to this incredible interview series this year in the midst of defending his racing accomplishments. His interview skills and personable demeanor have made Outspoken a must-watch and must-listen for any mountain bike race fan. Thank you to Aaron Bartlett of Creative Concept for producing the programs and Fox MTB for their support behind the project.

Welcome mountain bikers! We're proud to bring you an Inside Line episode with a wonder grom of #USDH, Chris Grice. The 16-year-old from North Carolina is amped to ride and race mountain bikes, driving across the country multiple times a year to get it done at the national level. We caught up with him on August 1, a week after he won his second U.S. National Championships DH race in the 15-16 Junior Cat 1 category. The race was in Winter Park, Colorado, and he was road-tripping through Idaho on his way to Crankworx with his dad and JD Swanguen. Chris isn't the only superstar of the up-and-coming downhill MTB race scene. The junior classes at local mountain bike races are growing like wildfire, often being the largest classes at events. We're glad to share some of the stoke around the future of our sport!Thanks for listening and enjoying The Inside LineThe Inside Line is an exclusive mountain bike podcast produced by Vital MTB with support from Maxxis Tires, Jenson USA and The Gravity Cartel.#USD

Was this the greatest downhill mountain bike race ever? Steve Peat thinks so, and he's seen almost every one of them! The final race of the 2019 UCI Mountain Bike World Cup Downhill season concluded in Snowshoe, West Virginia, with Danny Hart taking the race win and Loic Bruni narrowly edging out Amaury Pierron for the World Cup overall Championship of 2019. Loic would need a third place finish to keep the overall if Amaury won the race. Amaury was leading the race with an early run that seemed unbeatable. Loic dropped in and ended up in 3rd place with only Danny Hart remaining. If Danny landed in 2nd, Amaury would win the overall. If Danny won the race, Loic would win the overall. Danny's split times were so close the entire way down his run, that until he crossed the line, no one was sure what the outcome would be. Danny eventually beat Amaury by just .656 seconds, winning the race and leaving Loic with the title. Tracey Hannah earned the women's overall championships victory, but not after M

It often seems those young, natural talents, who have so much promise and future, end up struggling with the biggest hurdles. Finding success in something easily at a young age can cripple the growth and maturity of an individual, leaving them wondering what happened when opportunities finally close and success can't override questionable personal choices. JD Swanguen tasted success in mountain biking at a young age. The San Diego native was around the right people thanks to his father, John, who is one of the unsung pioneers of freestyle BMX. When JD found an interest in mountain biking, that interest was fostered through family support and eventually sponsorship. His style was honed through dirt jumping and skatepark riding and his downhill racing results were rising. Without ever seriously training, and in the face of some hard partying, JD managed to earn a silver medal at the Junior World Championships in Fort William, 2007. As his career blossomed, his decisions as young man still in his teens, wou

The current Downhill Mountain Bike World Champion, Loic Bruni, is interviewing the rider of his choice at each World Cup DH round in 2019 for his Outspoken series on Vital MTB. This episode features the Greatest Of All Time, Greg Minnaar. Following a horrific start to the season in Maribor, where Greg failed to qualify for race day (a career first), he sits down with Loic to discuss all aspects of mountain bike racing. Career longevity, bike tech like 29ers in downhill, being on the Santa Cruz Syndicate with Steve Peat, Nathan Rennie and Josh Bryceland, the boredom of training and even the art of crying are touched on. When the person conducting the interview knows the elite-level stresses and struggles as well as the subject, incredible insight is the result.

This may be the most insightful look into what it means to be a modern downhill mountain bike racer. Troy Brosnan, tied for 2nd place in the 2019 UCI World Cup DH overall, sits down with Loic Bruni, the current leader in the downhill race series. Troy is known for his consistency at the races, regularly placing 2nd or 3rd. He's won two World Cup downhills in his career, but Loic questions Troy if it's time to push harder for the win. The two discuss race technique, the mountain bike community, being teammates with Sam Hill, Aaron Gwin and Fabien Barel, junior racing and bike setup (with Troy racing a 29-inch front wheel for the first time in Val di Sole this weekend). The interview concludes with the two discussing pro racing contract negotiation and the secrecy behind it all. Truly a fascinating and candid interview with two of the fastest mountain bikers on the planet in the latest Outspoken interview.We are honored at Vital to be a part of this incredible interview series with Loic this year. Aar

Loic Bruni, the current World Cup DH overall leader and reigning downhill World Champion, interviews Brendan Fairclough at the Lenzerheide race. He and Brendan discuss what it means to be a pro downhill racer, competing in Red Bull Rampage and the future of the sport. Brendan recently missed qualifying at the Lenzerheide World Cup, but still agreed to sit down with Loic for the discussion. Yeah Brendan!